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Governor Whitmer Announces New EV Jobs Academy Website to Connect Michiganders to Careers in Electric Vehicle Industry

Government and Politics

March 2, 2023

From: Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer

Lansing, MI?On March 1st, Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) announced the launch of a new website, Michigan.gov/EVJobsAcademy, to connect Michiganders to good-paying career opportunities in the rapidly expanding automotive mobility and electrification industry. On March 1st’s announcement builds on last year’s $5 million investment in the Michigan Electric Vehicle Jobs Academy (EV Jobs Academy).

“The EV Jobs Academy will connect Michiganders with good-paying jobs building electric vehicles, batteries, and other automotive components as we continue growing our economy and making investments to lead the future of mobility and electrification,” said Governor Whitmer. “Since I took office, we have secured over 35,000 auto jobs building electric vehicles and batteries, manufacturing chips, and producing clean energy. We’re building an economy of the future and creating opportunity for Michiganders in every region. Whether you’re a union auto worker or a new engineering graduate, we want to show that Michigan is the best place for you to thrive doing rewarding work. The EV Jobs Academy will be an invaluable connector between industry and talent, and I look forward to bringing home more investments and jobs as we build a brighter future for Michigan.”??

The EV Jobs Academy is designed to provide Michiganders with tuition assistance and supportive services, including “earn while you learn” opportunities through a Registered Apprenticeship, to support and streamline onramps to high-wage, in-demand careers.? With more than 100 partners including employers, industry stakeholders and education institutions, the EV Jobs Academy is driving the state’s advanced mobility talent development for the future. 

Some of the in-demand careers the EV Jobs Academy prepares Michiganders for includes assemblers and fabricators, electrical engineers and technicians, information security analysts, information technology professionals, maintenance and repair workers and software developers.? 

Michiganders interested in exploring new careers with excellent advancement opportunities are encouraged to visit Michigan.gov/EVJobsAcademy and complete an online interest form so a local EV Jobs Academy partner can contact them and provide details about local resources available to get them connected with career resources and opportunities.? 

Industry stakeholders including employers interested in supporting or joining the collaborative are also encouraged to visit the site and complete the online interest form.? 

“The automotive mobility and electrification industry provides once-in-a-lifetime career opportunities for Michiganders, and I encourage anyone interested in learning more about this evolving industry to connect with the EV Jobs Academy,” said LEO Director and chair of the Michigan Council on Future Mobility Susan Corbin. “Careers in this growing industry are not only building on the success of Michigan’s economic future, but they are also building and creating new opportunities and financial stability for Michigan’s hardworking people.”? 

“The EV Jobs Academy employer-led collaborative continues to evolve and grow with employer and stakeholder participation,” said Michele Ureste, Executive Director of Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN). “This initiative is designed to provide opportunities for employers to communicate EV and mobility occupational skills needs and hiring projections directly to education and training providers for updates in curriculum and partners working directly with job seekers.”? 

In addition to LEO and WIN, EV Jobs Academy collaborative partners include:? 

  • Center for Advanced Automotive Technology?? 
  • Center for Automotive Research?? 
  • Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce?? 
  • MICHAuto? 
  • Michigan Alliance for Great Mobility Advancement? 
  • Michigan Community College Association?? 
  • Michigan Works! network?? 
  • National Advanced Mobility Consortium?? 
  • Southeast Michigan Community Alliance?? 
  • Southeast Michigan Council of Governments? 
  • Wayne County College Access Network? 
  • Workforce Development Institute?? 

View the full list of partners on the EV Jobs Academy webpage.